NPR No Longer March 28, 2009

I have always had a love-hate relationship with NPR. I think they have really interesting and informing stories, but I feel like it’s generally pretty one sided. I let that slide for a long time though because I still thought it was interesting and informative. A few weeks ago, this came to a screeching halt. Since starting my new job, I figured I could listen to the radio online. One day I listened to the Diane Ream show which I have not done often. That particular’s story was about John Cheever. In particular, it was about a new biography of John Cheever. His life sounds like it was really sad and twisted and I felt sorry for him. But listening to Diane Ream and her guest (the bio author) was just nauseating because they discussed his very inappropriate relationship with his brother so breezily, almost bemusedly. I simply cannot express my abhorrance to that story and to their conversation and to their attitudes. It’s not funny or cute or amusing that a famous writer had a sexual relationship with his brother. I don’t even like writing about it because it is so perverse. That kind of behavior should never be construed as normal and probably not even discussed. It was disturbing to me and I don’t ever want to have those thoughts put in my head again. So, with that huge explanation, I have decided to stop listening to NPR. Forever. My husband listens to it which is fine. But until they shape up, get some morals and standards and wisdom, I will not patronize NPR’s radiowaves.

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